Aviation

All Safety Board personnel traveling to an area with certain known public health
risks or suspected diseases will be cleared by their supervisor before departure. The supervisor will
ensure that adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and the employee is medically
qualified for the work to be done. The Safety Board’s physician and the Department of State health
clinic can be excellent sources of information on the risks associated with certain countries or areas.
Inoculations can typically be arranged through an individual's personal medical care facility or
through government agencies with which the NTSB has agreements.
The scene of an airplane accident may contain bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne
pathogens are viruses, bacteria, and parasites that are present in the blood, tissue, or other body
fluids of infected persons. They could include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B and C virus (HBV)
and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. Some of these viruses do not
die upon contact with oxygen or when the fluids dry out. Studies, in fact, show that certain climatic
conditions may prolong the infectiousness of HIV. Those who work in or around the wreckage must
use extreme caution to minimize direct contact with bloodborne viruses. At a minimum, heavy
leather work gloves over nonpermeable rubber gloves should be used and in some case will be
required when touching the wreckage. Under certain conditions, such as within the wreckage where
investigators may come into contact with blood or human remains, full face masks, protective
goggles, and disposable overalls and booties shall be worn. Protective biohazard suits are also
available in Hangar 6 at Washington’s Reagan National Airport. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) requirements concerning training and on-scene protection procedures and
equipment are included in the Safety Board’s Exposure Control Plan, a copy of which is included in
Appendix T. The Safety Board’s Occupational Safety and Health Coordinator is responsible for
maintaining the plan and ensuring that it is updated annually; copies of the plan may be obtained
from the intranet. Each investigator who will be working on-scene will have two packages of
biohazard equipment as part of his or her go-team equipment.
3.4 Observers
The IIC may allow properly accredited members of Congressional oversight,
designated military personnel, representatives of other Federal agencies, or representatives of foreign
governments to be observers to the investigation. Training and familiarization with the Safety
Board’s investigative process is the sole purpose of the observer status. Observers should not have
any self-interest in the investigation, and they will be permitted access to only those portions of the
investigation deemed appropriate by the IIC. Observer status must be coordinated and approved in
advance. Although observers will sometimes work with one of the investigative groups, they will be
under the overall authority of the IIC and will be given factual information on a "need to know
basis." The restrictions concerning public dissemination of accident information apply to all
observers.
3.5 Lines of Authority
17